Shower head



NOV. 2 7, 1934. M. REDY 1,982,538`

SHOWER HEAD Filed June 4:, 1932 2 She'etS-Shee' 1 NOV. M. REEDY 1,982,538

vPatented Nov. 217, 1.934

l SHowEa HEAD Emmett M; Reedy, Decatur, Ill., assignor to Mueller Co., Decatur, Ill., a

Illinois corporation of Application inner, 1932, Serial No'. 615,445

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to shower heads of the type having a wallor face plate provided' with a multiplicity of relatively small perforations and has as its purpose to provide effective means for cleaning the perforations and regulating the discharge therethrough. Many expediente have heretofore been resorted to in the attempt to .secure a non-clogging head with adjustable spray-forming means, but in most instances the proposed heads have been of complicated and more or less ineflicient design. According to the present invention the head is of the simple sprinkler type and contains an adjustable member carrying pins cooperable with the perforations to eject foreign matter therefrom and to regulate the size of the streams therethrough so that the character of the spray may be considerably modified, the entering portions of the pins being preferably Substantially cylindrical and circumferentially smooth and of lnsufilcient size to close the openings completely in any position of adjustment.

In order that the novel features of the invention may be readily comprehended, I shall describe in detail one practical embodiment which is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation ofthe head.

Figure 2 is an axial section of the head.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Figure 4 is a face view of the pin carrier.

c Figure 5 is a face view of one of the elements of the pin carrier.

Figure 6 is an axial section of the pin carrier with the component parts in separated relation. and

Figure 'l is a greatly enlarged sectional view of a portion of the perforate wall of the head, and a portion of the pin carrier showing the relation of a pin to a perforation. l

Referring to the drawings, .the new Vhead is designated generally by the reference numeral 10 and comprises as here shown, a shell comprising a bell-shaped body 11 and a periorate face plate or wall 12, the latter being separable from the portion 11. At its' small end, the body portion has an inlet opening into which is threaded a supply pipe 13 and adjacent the supply pipe is formed a spider 14 which supports an outwardly projecting stud 15 in coaxial Irelation to the body l1. A boss 16 having arelatively large bore with its axis normal to the axis of stud 15 and intersecting the latter, receives a spindle 17 which at its inner end has a cylindrical enlargement 18 bearing against a shoulder 19 formed ,by a re-A duction in the size of the bore at its inner end.-

A reduced extension 20 revoluble in the reduced end of the bore, has a crank pin 21 integral therewith. At its other end spindle 17 passes through a gland nut 22 threaded in the outer end of the 60' bore and compressing packing means 23 against enlargement 18. A handle 24 is xed on the outer end of the spindle and held thereon by means of a screw 25.

The peripherally circular face plate 12 is sypherl- 65 cally curved or convexed on a relatively long radius and is provided with a cylindrical flange 26 embracing the cylindrical marginal portion 2'1 of the body 11. The plate has a central bore 28 through whichis passed the shank of a headed screw 29, the screw being threaded in an axial bore 30 of stud 15 to secure the face plate and body together, a compressible washer 31 being utilized to secure a watertight joint.

Exteriorly, the face plate 12 is provided with 75 comparatively deep annular grooves 32 to 35 concentric with screw 29, the bottoms of grooves 32 to 35 having apertures 36 formed therein.

These apertures are of substantial length due to the thickness of the metal and have their axial so lines substantially radial to the curve of the face plate.A Apertures 3'? which communicate with the bottom of groove 32 preferably extend in parallel relation to the axis of stud 15 rather than in radial relation to the curve of the face plate so as to minimize am; hollow core effect of the spray which might otherwise exist. All of the perforations arevcounter-sunk preferably coaxially, as shown, at their inner ends.

` The face plate carries a plurality of posts 38 90 and 39 projecting inwardly of the head in parallel relation to the axis oi' stud 15, post 38 being somewhat larger than post 39 as regards cross sectional dimension. f

An actuator plate 40 has an integral Sleeve. 41 95 perpendicular thereto at its center, the Sleeve and plate being provided with a through bore in which stud 15 is received, the bore providing a sliding nt with the stud. The sleeve has an integral boss 42 provided with a recess 43 bounded 100 by parallel planes substantially normal to the axis of stud 15, vcrank pin 21 engaging in this recess. Adjacent its periphery, the plate 40 is provided with holes having a sliding vfit with posts 38 and 39.

The relation of the crank pin 21 to the recess 43 is such as to prevent substantial rotary movements of plate 40 about stud 15, but in any event with posts 38 and 39 engaged in the holes in the plate, any rotary movement of the latter is made 110 56 have shank portions including relatively smallimpossible. Rotation of spindle 17 through manipulation of handle 24 will cause reciprocation of plate 40, as will be readily understood. The

frictional engagement of the packing 23 with spindle 17 and enlargement 18 is suicient to hold the spindle in its angularly adjusted position.

The forward surface of plate'40 is provided with concentric grooves 44 to 47, the bottoms of the grooves being successively rearwardly stepped from the inner groove to the outer so that the groove bottoms are substantially equi-distant from the spherically curved face plate. A carrier plate 48 has a central aperture 49 adapted to receive a boss 50 of the plate 40 and has concentric annular portions 51 to 54 successively rearwardly off-set so as to be able to closely overlie the grooves or cavities 44 to 47, the stepped portions being provided with apertures 55. Pins substantially cylindrical circumferentially smooth portions 57'surmounted by cylindrical enlargements 58 which in\turn are surmounted by heads 59; The extremities'O of the pins are pointed. Portions 58 are receivable in the apertures 55 of the carrier plate 48 with a relatively loose t, heads 59, however, being of such size as to be unable to pass through the apertures. A pin being placed ineach aperture of plate 48, the latter is brought against the lower-surface of plate 40 'so that the heads 59 are received in the grooves 44 to 47, the width and depth of the grooves being such as to permit a limited universal range of movement to the heads. plate 40 by means of screws 61, Figure 4, plate 4B being provided with holes 62 and 63 in which posts 38 and 39 are received.

The disposition of the pins is such that one is in register with each ofthe perforations of the face plate and when the head is supported with the axis of stud 15 in vertical position, the pins naturally hang in parallel relation to that axis. With the axis of the stud 15 tilted as in Figure 1, the axes of the pins naturally tilt downwardly to a limited extent. Upon movement of the pins from the position of Figure 2 to that illustrated in Figure 7, however, they are positively guided into the perforations of the face plate by reason of the guiding action of the counter-sinks of the perforations on the pin points. The action of the pins is uniform since they are of equal length.

With the pins retracted entirely from the perforations in the positionof parts shown in Figure 2, relatively coarse streams issue through the face plate perforations. Asl the shank portions 57 loi? the pin are brought into the perforations. a ilner stream eifect is secured, the streams diverging from the axis of the head at an angle to the latter substantially greater than that of their radii, due to the eccentric relation of the pins to the perforations. When the pins are fully entered into the perforations, their oating mounting permits them to be forced by the fluid pressure into coaxial relation with the perforations so that the issuing streams again assume their radial relation, l

As shown in Figure 7, the points of the pins in their fully projected position still lie within the grooves'of the face plate so that the ribs between the grooves serve as guards, these ribs also serving as .strengthening means for the face plate.

.The bottoms of grooves 44 to 47 of the actuator plate 40, are themselves centrally grooved as at 64, Figure 7. These latter grooves are for the purpose of accommodating the cusps ordinarily Plate 48 is secured toformed on the tops of the heads of the pins in the turning operation.

In order that the pins may accurately register with the face plate perforatlons, the guide posts 38 and 39 have been provided. It is essential, 80 however, that the face plate and pin carrying means always be assembled in the same angular relation to each other. For this reason the posts have been made of different size so that they will only lbe received in the holes in plates 40 and 48 85 in one angular relation of the latter to the face plate.

Movement of the pins into and out of the apertures, serves to keep the latter free of any foreign matter and the action of the pins in this respect is particularly effective by reason of their floating mounting which permits them to assume dierent positions in their respective perforations. Also, by adjustment of the pins, the nature of the shower may be'considerably modiiled. The en- 95 tering portions of the pins in all positions of adjustment fit loosely within the perforations so that now through the latter is never shut of! by the pins.

While I have described a specific embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that considerable variance from the details disclosed is. possible without departure from the scope of the invention as dened in the following claims.

1. A shower head comprising a shell. having a face plate of substantial thickness provided with perforations whose axial lines are substantially convergent lat a point remote from the plate and to the rear thereof, the inner ends of said perforations being countersunk, a member within the shell movable toward and away from said face plate, and pins projecting forwardly from said member and having a limited universal tilting range relative thereto, said pins being adapted to enter the perforations.

2. A shower head comprising a shell having a face plate provided with perforations, a member within the shell movable toward and away from the face plate, and pins of substantially uniform diameter less than the diameters of the perforations projecting forwardly from said member and having a limited universal tilting range relative thereto, said pins'being adapted to enter the perwall provided with perforations, a plate within lthe shell movablev toward and away from said wall, a 4perforated plate secured against the front face of the first plate, headed pins having shanks passed loosely through the perforations of said perforated plate in registering relation with the perforatlons of said wall so as to be able to enter the latter. the heads of the said pins being engaged loosely between the two plates, whereby the pins have a limited universal tilting range relative to-said plates.

4. A shower head comprisinga shell having a wall provided with perforations, a plate within the shell movable toward and away from said wall, a perforated plate secured against the front face 145 of the ilrst plate, headed pins having shanks passed through the perforations of said perforated plate in registering relation with the perforations of said wall so as-to` be able to enter the latter, the heads oi' the said pins being engaged 150 .between the two plates and lyingin cavities formed in the first plate.

5. A shower head comprising a shell having a spherically curved wall provided with perforations, a plate within the shell movable toward and away from said wall on a line radial to the latter, the front surface of said plate being formed with steps concentric with said radial line and substantially equidistant from the inner surface of said Wall, a second similarly stepped plate .secured against the first, the stepped portions of said second plate being provided with perforations, and headed pins of equal length having shanks loosely passed through the perforations of said perforated plate in registering relation with the perforations of said wall so as to be able to enter the latter, the heads of said pins being loosely engaged between the two plates in cavities formed in the iirst plate.`

6. A shower head comprising a shell having a spherically curved wall of substantial thickness provided with perforations whose axial lines are substantially radial to the curve of said wall, a plate within the shell movable toward and away from said wall on a line radial to the latter, the

front surface of said plate being formed with' steps concentric with saidradial line and substantially equidistant from the inner surface of said wall, a second similarly stepped plate secured against the first, the stepped portions of said second plate being provided with perforations, and headed pins of equal length having shanks loosely passed through the perforations of said perforated plate in registering relation with the perforations of said wall so as to be able to enter the latter, the heads of said pins being loosely ,engaged between the two plates'in cavities formed in the first plate, the mounting of the pins being such as to permit them to hang parallel to said radial line when the latter is in vertically extending position.

7. A shower head comprising-a shell having a spherically-curved wail of substantial thickness provided with perforations whose axial lines are substantially radialto the curve of said wall, a'

member movable within the shell toward and away from said wall, and loosely mounted tiltable pins of equal length projecting forwardly from said member with the outerpins rearwardly offset relative-to the central pins for simultaneous entrance into and withdrawal from said perforations upon reciprocation of said member.

8. A shower head comprising a shell having a spherically curved wall of substantial thickness provided with perforations whose axial lines are substantially radial to the curveof said wall, a member movable within the shell toward and away from said wall, and loosely mounted tiltable pins projecting forwardly from said member for simultaneous entrance into and withdrawal from said perforations upon reciprocation -of said member.

9. A shower head comprising a shell having a removable wall provided with perforations, a member within the shell movable toward and away from said wall, pins projecting forwardly from said memberin register with said perforations and movable into and out of said perforations upon reciprocation of said member, and a plurality of inwardly projecting studs of different cross section on said wall, said member being provided with apertures having a sliding fit with said studs.

10. A shower head comprising a shell having a face plate provided vwith perforations, a member within said shell movable toward and away from said face plate, pointed pins carried by said -movable member'in register with said perforamaining substantially constant irrespective of the different positions of said pins.

11. A shower head comprising a shell having a face plate of substantial thickness provided with perforations whose inner ends are coaxially countersunk, a member within said shell movable toward and away from said face plate, pointed pins carried by said member in register with said perforations, said pins having elongated portions of uniform diameter rearwardly of the points, and manually operable means for setting said member in adjusted positions wherein the pins project to the desired -extent within said apertures to clean the perforations and to vary the rate of flow and volume of the streams issuing therefrom when the head is in use, the shape of said streams remaining substantially constant irrespective of the different positions of said pins. i

12. A shower head comprising a shell having a face plate provided with perforations, a 'member within said shell movable toward and away from said face plate, pins carried by said movable member in register with said perforations and movable into and out of said perforations upon reciprocation of said member, a stem secured to said member, means for, reciprocating said stem and therewith said member, and stationary guide means in the head exteniding parallel to the-line of reciprocation of said stem and engaging said movable member to prevent angular movement thereof about the axis of said stem.

13. A shower head comprising a shell having a face plate provided with perforations, a member within said shell movabletoward and away from said face plate, pins carried yby said movable Amember in registerwith said perforations and movable into and out of said perforations upon reciprocation of said member, a stem secured to said member, means for reciprocating said stem and therewith said member, and a stud flxedly supported in said shell parallel to the line of reciprocation of said stem, said member being provided with an aperture having a sliding fit with said stud. r

14. A shower head comprising a shell having a removable face plate provided with perforations, a member within said shell Amovable toward and away from said face plate. pins carried by said movable member in position to register with said perforations and movable into and out of said perforations upon reciprocation of said member, and cooperating guide means on said face plate and reciprocating member whereby the register of said pins and perforations is maintained, said guide means comprising a post on said face plate and an opening in said member slidably receiving said post.

15. A shower head comprising a shell having a removable -face plate of substantial thickness having perforations therein countersunkat their inner ends, a member within said shell movable toward and away from said face plate, pins ca .r- 150 ried by said movable member in position to register with said perforations and 4movable into and out of said perfor-ations upon reciprocation of said member, said pins being mounted for limited universal tilting movement relative to said members, and cooperating guide means on said face plate and reciprocating member whereby the register of said pins and perforations is maintained, said guide means comprising a post on said face plate and an opening in said member slidably receiving said post. u

k16. A shower head comprising a shell having a face plate provided with perforations, a member within the shell movable toward and away from the face plate, and pins projecting forwardly from said member and having limited universal tilting range relative thereto and mounted in position to enter the perforations when the member is moved toward the face plate and to be completely withdrawn when the member is moved away from the face plate, said pins having a major portion of their efiective lengths of substantially uniform diameter less than the diameters'of said periorations rearwardly of their ends, said pins being adapted to clean the perforations when projected therein and to change the rate of ilow and volume of the streams issuing therefrom, the shape of the streams being unchanged by said pins'in their diil'erent positions.

17. A shower head comprising a casing and a member mounted for reciprocation therein. said casing comprising a shell and a removable face plate provided with perforations, said reciprocating member including pins carried thereby in position toregister with and enter said perforations in the face plate when the member is reciprocated toward the same and being removable from the perforations when the member is reciprocated in the opposite direction, and guide means to maintain said pins in alignment with said perforations, said guide means comprising vertically disposed cooperating surfaces on said reciprocating member and on a part associated with said casing, said surfaces being in slidable relation to permit reciprocation of the 'reciproeating member and in abutting relation to prevent relative rotation of the parts.

18. A shower head comprising a casing and a member mounted for reciprocation therein, said casing comprising a shell and a removable face plate provided with perforations, said reciproeating member carrying pins mounted for limited universal tilting movement relative to said member, said pins being disposed in position to register with and enter said perforations in the face plate when the member is reciprocated toward the same and being removable from the perforations when the member is reciprocated in the opposite direction, and guide means to maintain said pins in alignment with said perforations, said guide means comprising vertically disposed cooperating surfaces on said reciprocating member and on a part associated with said casing, said surfaces being in slidable relation to permit reciprocation of the reciprocating member and in abutting relation to prevent relative rotation of the parts.

- EMME'IT M. REEDY. 

